December 08 / 13.30 Exeter

13.30

Soft

British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
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British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Abandoned

Form: 25-5

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

18:40 Chepstow

Banteer

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Seems well down the pecking order at his powerful yard but best effort (third to useful opponent) reads well in this context; apparent non-stayer over 2m5f on soft ground most recently; respected back down in distance with tongue-tie fitted.

5/2

9th

1

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

18:40 Chepstow

Banteer

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Seems well down the pecking order at his powerful yard but best effort (third to useful opponent) reads well in this context; apparent non-stayer over 2m5f on soft ground most recently; respected back down in distance with tongue-tie fitted.

5/2

6th

6

27th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:00 Wincanton

Banteer

11st 5lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

The best of his qualifying runs was here over 1m7f (heavy) when 15l behind a subsequent Grade 2 winner and well behind him that day in fourth was Lady Balko who has recently gone on a winning spree; potentially well handicapped for last year's winning combination.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 6/

Last run: 638 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

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Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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11

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:20 Wincanton

Benville Bridge

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Fiona Shaw

towards rear, mistake 4th, reminders after 6th, badly hampered by faller 3 out, soon lost touch

50/1

12

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Benville Bridge

10st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Fiona Shaw

Didn't show much in novice hurdles last winter and pulled up last month on first two handicap/chase starts; a transformation is needed now back over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces.

33/1

12

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Benville Bridge

10st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Fiona Shaw

Didn't show much in novice hurdles last winter and pulled up last month on first two handicap/chase starts; a transformation is needed now back over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces.

33/1

Form: 0-4

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

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Form & Verdict
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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3rd

7

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

14:57 Uttoxeter

Golden Ambition

11st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Disappointed when dropped back to 2m4f here in July but began his chasing career with two promising thirds (2m5f/2m7f, good) and will be suited by today's return to 3m; has a fighting chance if back on song.

9/2

9th

7

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:07 Uttoxeter

Golden Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won twice over hurdles and has kicked off over fences with fairly close thirds over 2m5f here and 2m7f at Worcester; looks on the right sort of mark but considered each-way.

9/2

7

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Worcester

Golden Ambition

11st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Dual hurdle winner who was beaten 5l on chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m5f; stays this far) where a mistake three out didn't help the cause; should run well.

8/1

Form: 63

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

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2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

Letthedustsettle

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Paul Collins

Bought for £3,000 out of Tom Lacey's yard at Doncaster last May having won two Catterick handicaps over 1m7f earlier in the year; this ground fine and not disgraced when tried over 2m4f/3m; probably best watched on stable debut having been off since April.

14/1

6th

10

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Letthedustsettle

11st 6lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Displayed sudden jolt of improvement to win twice at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in early part of this year and the form of his subsequent Newcaslte second (2m1f, heavy) reads well; unexposed over this sort of trip but needs to bounce back from a poor performance four weeks ago.

10/1

6th

10

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Letthedustsettle

11st 6lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Displayed sudden jolt of improvement to win twice at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in early part of this year and the form of his subsequent Newcaslte second (2m1f, heavy) reads well; unexposed over this sort of trip but needs to bounce back from a poor performance four weeks ago.

10/1

Form: 8/5P-

Last run: 408 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

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Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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2nd

3

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:20 Fontwell

Meraki Mist

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

Safely held in two slow-ground handicaps (both 1m7f) for Simon Earle last year and makes stable debut after a six-month absence but improvement is possible if this new trip-and-ground combination suits.

16/1

5th

3

5th Dec 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 5

13:55 Leicester

Meraki Mist

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Simon Earle

Never threatened last season but ran okay behind talented winners in his last two maidens; one to note in the betting on handicap debut.

16/1

5th

3

5th Dec 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 5

13:55 Leicester

Meraki Mist

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Simon Earle

Never threatened last season but ran okay behind talented winners in his last two maidens; one to note in the betting on handicap debut.

16/1

Abandoned

Form: 3P

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

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Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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2nd

8

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Mistymal

10st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Tim Vaughan

Form of October 2024's Hereford chase debut win (3m1f, good) has been consolidated rather than improved upon; fair record after long absences but realistically needs the wind surgery since last seen to elicit improvement.

10/1

5

5th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:45 Ffos Las

Mistymal

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Scored at Hereford (3m1f, good) in October and ended last season with a pretty good third over that C&D; not always one to rely upon heavily but enters calculations.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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4

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Moorefields

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

prominent

10/1

4

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Moorefields

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

prominent

10/1

9th

1

15th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Moorefields

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Won a big-field maiden hurdle at Exeter (2m2f, heavy) in January but he's been disappointing since including in two handicaps at Exeter; still unexposed over hurdles but he was beaten 52l last time and has questions to answer at this new trip.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Nordic Storm

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Not fully exposed after only eight runs but unplaced all seven hurdling starts before struggling on last month's chasing debut (bled from the nose); leap of faith is required to support him here.

12/1

7th

7

12th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:18 Hereford

Nordic Storm

10st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, lost position 4th, slow jump 5th, dropped to last 7th, reminders 10th, tailed off from 3 out (usual 4 out)

16/1

9th

10

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Nordic Storm

10st 9lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Joe Tizzard

Soundly beaten, including in two handicaps over 3m and another over 2m6f; had wind surgery since latest start, with a tongue-tie also now enlisted, and they need to work wonders.

16/1

Form: 75-74

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:10 Worcester

Pride Of Paris

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Expensive to follow during four-race spell for Harry Derham this year and safely held here (2m7f, good; bled from the nose) on last month's stable debut; had wind op soon after that latest run and now drops back in trip; too risky.

14/1

1

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Pride Of Paris

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Beaten favourite on all four starts for Harry Derham this year, if only just at Uttoxeter last month (3m, good; first cheekpieces); respected on this stable debut, though bled from the nose when last seen.

5/1

2

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

14:23 Fontwell

Pride Of Paris

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Safely held when favourite for first two stable starts but battled on well for close second in first-time cheekpieces at Uttoxeter (3m, good; several fences omitted) this month and remains lightly raced over fences; high on the list.

6/4

Form: 5B-93

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

6

25th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:20 Exeter

Royal Defender

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Bought for 155,000gns after winning Irish maiden point (3m) in May 2022; his rules form has been patchy but he was a fair third in a Lingfield novice hurdle (2m, good to soft) last November and is open to improvement now up in trip in first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut; watch the betting.

5/1

Form: 5

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Royal Jewel

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won over C&D (good to soft) in the autumn and he got back on the scoresheet at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) in February; ran another good race when third at Taunton (good) last month and he should be in the mix again on this drop back in trip.

9/1

3rd

1

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

Royal Jewel

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Gained his second success of the season over C&D last month; up 3lb but he remains unexposed over this sort of trip and is not taken lightly.

3/1

1st

2

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Taunton

Royal Jewel

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Returned from layoff with two good runs (one win) over 2m5f in the autumn and bounced back quickly from a lesser effort when third at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) just after Christmas; not yet proven over this far under rules but seems versatile ground-wise and can make his presence felt.

13/8

Form: 131-2 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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6th

12

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Spirits Bay

10st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Ran okay when seventh in this last year and he reappeared with a win at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) in October; however, his subsequent form has been mixed (fences/hurdles) and Top Jimmy looks the yard's chief hope.

33/1

7th

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Spirits Bay

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a winning reappearance in Newton Abbot handicap hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) in October; switched to fences subsequently, matching his peak RPR over timber when fourth in 2m3f Exeter novice handicap (good to soft) five weeks ago; won his previous outing on heavy.

8/1

1

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

12:55 Warwick

Spirits Bay

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Two wins during his novice campaign included a handicap (2m, soft); 0-5 last season but ran well at the weights behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in January and comfortably regained the winning thread on his reappearance at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 4lb but he's bred for fences and looks a player on debut in this sphere.

11/8

Form: 8

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:05 Exeter

Storming Nelson

11st 2lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Needs to up his game after two below-par recent runs (2m/2m3f) but his second to a next-time-out winner at Taunton (2m2f, heavy) in early February was a good effort and this step up in trip is an interesting move.

9/1

5th

7

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Storming Nelson

11st 0lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Over two years since sole career win in a novice hurdle here; 0-3 over fences and easily the best of those runs was the second at Taunton (2m2f, heavy); ideally wants that slower ground.

8/1

3rd

3

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:22 Ffos Las

Storming Nelson

11st 9lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Out the back with DJ Pete in a Chepstow novice on chasing debut, and better judged on his Taunton handicap second since (2m2f, heavy); Exeter hurdles winner likely to appreciate the return to a longer track.

9/4

Form: P

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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0

10

4th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

12:40 Wetherby

Time Theft

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Neil Mulholland

Half-brother to a useful hurdler/chaser but he was a well-held second of four in his sole point (2m3f, good to firm) in April 2022; returns from a long layoff.

20/1

Form: 321-5 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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2nd

1

24th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

14:30 Wincanton

Larchmont Lass

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, led 4th, not fluent 8th, increased tempo before 2 out, headed when hit last, stayed on

7/4

7th

7

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 121y

Class 2

13:20 Kempton

Larchmont Lass

10st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, hit 8th, lost position 3 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

7th

7

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 121y

Class 2

13:20 Kempton

Larchmont Lass

10st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, hit 8th, lost position 3 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

Form: 76

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Sammys Guarantee

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.

14/1

6

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Sammys Guarantee

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.

14/1

5th

4

25th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

16:35 Huntingdon

Sammys Guarantee

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Improved to win at Doncaster (2m. good to soft) in January; stepped up on that when second on handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, soft); fell at Chepstow only eight days ago but considered on the earlier form.

3/1

Verdict

Listed bumper winner Larchmont Lass ought to make her mark over hurdles in the near future but slight preference is for SPIRITS BAY, who ran well in defeat on last month’s hurdling debut at Sandown. Golden Ambition and Royal Defender may interest each-way punters.[Chris Wilson]